KAMPALA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Reigning world marathon champion Victor Kiplangat will lead Uganda's athletics team at the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), confirmed in an interview with Xinhua on Monday that despite multiple athletes meeting the qualifying standards, only the top three men and women have been selected for the team.
24-year-old Kiplangat, who clinched gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, will be joined by Stephen Kissa and Andrew Kwemoi on the men's team.
"I continue to work hard because there is still some time left before the Olympics," said Kiplangat, who finished 15th at the Tokyo Marathon 2024 in March.
For the women's team, the lineup includes Stella Chesang, the 2019 Commonwealth Games 10,000-meter gold medalist, alongside Mercyline Chelangat and Rebecca Cheptegei.
"I am very happy that I have made the team and this will be my first time to compete in such a highly formidable race," said Chesang.
Otuchet expressed confidence in the selected athletes, noting their extensive experience and ongoing preparations. He emphasized that the six marathon runners representing Uganda are all seasoned athletes capable of winning medals at the Olympics. ■
